Page 58 of Cruel Dominion

For now, Anna was all mine.

I parked and turned off the engine, but was greeted with silence. Apparently, Anna was done screaming and trying to destroy my three hundred thousand dollar car.

She was probably saving her energy to fight me off as soon as she was freed.

I opened the trunk, ready for her to start hissing and scratching. Instead, she ignored me entirely, reaching past my outstretched hand to grip the rim of the trunk and push herself to her feet.

Her hair was mussed, and her white dress was all twisted. Bedraggled as she looked, she still sneered at me like the queen she was.

“We’re at my villa,” I explained, retracting my hand. “Are you going to walk inside with me, or do I have to throw you over my shoulder again?”

“I’ll walk.”

I re-extended a hand to help step down but she ignored me again, stubbornly clambering out of the trunk and straightening her dress.

She stumbled a little on the landing, but brushed it off. Head high, she strolled right up to the front door of my villa with a stomp in every step.

I felt a rush of satisfaction, seeing Anna open the door to my home. It was her home, too, even if she didn’t know it yet. Everything I had was always going to be hers.

We entered the foyer, and I saw Anna’s eyes catch on the white sculptural art hanging from the ceiling. With her photographer’s eye, I knew she’d be entranced by my substantial art collection. I grinned, thinking about the massive paintings, sculptures, and lightwork waiting for her.

Ignoring the staircase going upstairs, Anna moved forward into the living room which I barely ever used. Nobody came to my house. I didn’t have friends—nobody I trusted enough to invite here. I didn’t bring women here either. Didn’t want them getting the idea that they might be welcome to come back.

Yet I knew Anna would love it. Subconsciously, I built the whole place with her in mind just as I built myself. Laying brick after brick with red-stained mortar until I was everything Hudson Vaughn told me I would never be and more.

As Anna looked at the architecture, I could hear the gasp she tried to swallow. She was impressed, even if she didn’t want to be. Her heels clacked on the wooden floor, as she slowly made her way further inside, looking up at the ceiling and moldings. Her eyes widened as she took in the warm wood, the walls of windows with seaside views, the luxurious couches of butter-soft leather.

Before I bought this villa, I visited all the most expensive homes in the city with my architect and decorator. I’d even gotten a look at Hudson Vaughn’s house while he and Michelle were traveling. I might not have Anna’s eye for design, but I had a mission.

Whatever they had, I wanted better.

I bought the biggest property available on the same beach as the Vaughns then ordered my team to build the most spectacular home in town. The result was a modern, luxurious villa with extensive balconies. Looking out the window to the right, I could see my infinity pool and personal tennis court. To the left, the stone garden and closed-in gazebo big enough to fit a football team for dinner.

And right ahead of us, through the bay windows: the beach. Just how we left it six years ago.

Anna took it all in thoughtfully.

“Big house,” she said noncommittally, an edge still in her voice. “People might think you’re compensating for something.”

A smile tugged at my lips.

“I think you know that I’m well-equipped in all areas,” I said, brushing my hand over her lower back.

Anna leapt back at the touch. She gasped in a shaky breath, and the blood drained from her face.

I frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Anna didn’t answer. She stumbled back another few steps, her green eyes fixed on some distant spot. It was like she’d collapsed in on herself again and I promised myself that if the fucker who touched her in that studio wasn’t dead, I’d go back there and finish him the first chance I got.

But now wasn’t the time to dwell on him. I had to take care of my little siren.

“Sit down,” I told her gently. “Let me get you a glass of water.”

She sank down on the couch while I moved quickly to the kitchen and filled her a glass.

Anna’s eyes were squeezed shut when I returned. She was trying to force back her tears, but I wanted them to fall. She should trust me enough to be fragile in front of me. I knelt in front of her and pressed the glass of water into her hands.

“Drink.”

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